Essential Gear: Best Mask and Snorkel Combos

Looking for the essential basics to add to your dive bag? We think you'll find it among these great mask-and-snorkel combos.

Sport Diver

Cressi - Nano Crystal Mask and Ultra Dry Snorkel (Editor's Pick)

Sport Diver Magazine - September, 2014

The Nano’s soft skirt and swiveling buckles keep it comfortable, the inverted teardrop lenses offer a wide view, and IDF (integrated dual frame) technology allows for low volume. The snorkel has a double float valve and a purge to keep breaths dry, and the bore is elliptical to reduce drag. The corrugated lower snorkel tube allows the mouthpiece to drop away when on scuba.

Contact: cressi.com
MSRP: $104.95 mask; $49.95 snorkel

Sport Diver

DIVE RITE - ES 150 Mask and Dry Snorkel

Sport Diver Magazine - September, 2014

The small-volume mask is frameless for the broadest field of view. Textured panels on the side of the nose bubble make it easy to grasp. The snorkel has a hinged top flap to keep out spray, and a purge valve at the bottom. The mouthpiece is angled for a precise fit.

Contact: diverite.com
MSRP: $59 mask; $25 snorkel

Sport Diver

Aqua Lung - Linea Twilight Mask and Impulse 3 Snorkel

Sport Diver Magazine - September, 2014

Designed for women, the Linea has swiveling buckles with guards to keep hair from tangling, and the skirt is wide to reduce face marks. The snorkel has a one-way exhaust and a purge valve, and comes with flex or nonflex tube.

Contact: aqualung.com
MSRP: $95 mask; $49 snorkel (nonflex version $47)

Sport Diver

SHERWOOD SCUBA - Onyx Mask and Snorkel

Sport Diver Magazine - September, 2014

This combo comes in matte black for a cool tactical look. The mask brings the lenses in close for a wide field of view, while the flexible buckle mounts let you place the strap just where you want it. The snorkel has a classic, minimalist profile that reduces drag.

Contact: sherwoodscuba.com
MSRP: $70 mask; $35 snorkel

Sport Diver

AERIS - Cyanea Mask and Cuda Dry 2 Snorkel

Sport Diver Magazine - September, 2014

The Cyanea’s oversize lenses offer a full-width view, and the elastic, ski-goggle style strap (shown) has a mount that works with any snorkel. The Cuda Dry 2 has a float valve at the top, a purge, and a corrugated tube that lets the mouthpiece drop away.

Contact: diveaeris.com
MSRP: $119.95 mask; $39.95 snorkel

Sport Diver

TUSA - Imprex 3-D Dry Adult Combo

Sport Diver Magazine - September, 2014

This adult snorkeling combo includes a single windowed mask that incorporates two side windows for an enhanced panoramic view. There is also a nose-purge system, which allows for easy clearing with a single exhale. The side buckles adjust up and down by swivel for proper mask-strap placement. The snorkel features a dry top, preventing water from entering. Other snorkel features include a drain chamber and SD purgevalve designed for easy clearing, a hypoallergenic crystal silicone flex neck, and an ergonomic mouthpiece to help reduce jaw fatigue.

Contact: tusa.com
MSRP: $58

Sport Diver

BARE - Quad C Mask and Dry Top Snorkel

Sport Diver Magazine - September, 2014

The mask design combines large dual front lenses with seamless side lenses for a panoramic view. The mask has flexible strap buckle attachments, and is wide for leak-free comfort. The snorkel has a float valve with a slotted splash guard to keep out water, as well as a purge valve at the base. The large snorkel bore is oval for streamlining. The strap keep has a quick release, and it both swivels and slides for precise adjustment. Mask and snorkel are offered in a variety of colors.

Contact: baresports.com
MSRP: $69.95 mask; $39.95 snorkel

Sport Diver

AQUA LUNG - Nautilus Travel Snorkel

Sport Diver Magazine - September, 2014

Designed for divers who want to do away with a snorkel hanging from their mask — or reduce the footprint of their travel gear — the Nautilus is made of soft silicone. It rolls up into a case, shaped like its namesake, which clips onto a BC or slips into a pocket. As soon as you pull it from its case, the Nautilus pops into shape.

Contact: aqualung.com
MSRP: $39.99

Sport Diver

ATOMIC AQUATICS - SV2 Snorkel

Sport Diver Magazine - September, 2014

The SV has a scupper valve at the bottom like the one-way valves that allow water to drain from boat cockpits. Above, the semidry top has vanes to redirect any spray that enters out the side exhausts, keeping things dry even in choppy water. The soft, corrugated tube lets the mouthpiece hang down out of the way, and the adjustable strap keeper slides along a notched track. The mouthpiece rotates for precise adjustment. The snorkel comes in a variety of colors.

Contact: atomicaquatics.com
MSRP: $66

Sport Diver

SHERWOOD SCUBA - Suri

Sport Diver Magazine - September, 2014

The Suri has an open top with a deep reservoir and a large purge below. The soft mouthpiece is replaceable and angled to fit easily in the mouth. The lower tube is made with corrugated silicone to allow it to hang out of the way when not in use. The adjustable keeper slides on the tube. The Suri comes in a variety of colors, including high-visibility yellow.

Contact: sherwoodscuba.com
MSRP: $25

Sport Diver

CRESSI - Corsica Snorkel

Sport Diver Magazine - September, 2014

Designed for free diving and spearfishing, the Corsica has a smooth, low-drag profile. The tube is made of special polymers with shape memory, so you can bend it – even tie it in a knot – and it will return to its original shape. The mouth-piece is soft silicone, and has swivels on the tube for proper adjustment. The Corsica comes in many stealth colors.

Contact: cressi.com
MSRP: $19.95

Sport Diver

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Alex Bean